Housing Project Officer

ASA Recruitment

ASA Recruitment’s client, a Public Sector organisation in Glasgow, are currently looking to recruit a Housing Project Officer, for an initial 3 month contract (with potential extensions) on a rate £21.56 – £23.95/hour PAYE (based on experience).

The Role

Our client is looking for an enthusiastic and organised professional to assist in the development, management and delivery of our client’s new build affordable housing programme. This will include supporting the identification of development opportunities, project management of the programme through to completion and monitoring and reporting on progress to a range of stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Senior Development Officer/Project Manager take forward agreed sites by liaising closely with the organisation’s statutory authorities, private developers and housing services colleagues.
• Ensure that proposed new developments meet housing need and demand by liaising closely with colleagues responsible for the local development plan and local housing strategy.
• Liaising closely with Finance colleagues to ensure that new build proposals are financially viable.
• Assisting the delivery of the organisation’s new build programme by:
  • Briefing and appointing design teams/contractors and reporting on consultant/ contractor performance.
  • Ensuring design proposals comply with ERC’s standard design guide and specification, Housing for Varying Needs and Scottish Building Regulations.
  • Monitoring and reporting on development spend v budget.
  • Assisting in the procurement of design and construction works.
  • Preparing of grant funding bids and inputting tender applications and grant claims to the Scottish Government’s HARP portal.
  • Maintaining administration systems in relation to new build.
  • Attending design team and site meetings, liaising with consultants and contractors to agree final account.
  • Undertaking post development completion reviews and identifying ways for improving future developments.
• Liaise with Housing Management colleagues to maximise input into proposals and develop/ refine handover procedures.
• Regularly update finance colleagues on spend against budget and anticipated development completion dates; ensure ERC’s Community Benefits officer is aware of new build development programme in order to maximise community benefits.
• Support the handover of new developments ensuring that the organisation receives all relevant documentation and information required for the effective management and maintenance of the new properties, and to minimise any void period between handover and occupation.
• Ensure the defect period is managed effectively and reported defects are dealt with within agreed timescales.
• Ensure compliance with ERC’s procurement policies and relevant guidance issued by Scottish Housing Regulator, Scottish Government and ERC’s internal auditors.
• Regularly review ERC’s design guide and specification to ensure it remains fit for purpose, incorporates best practice and customer feedback.
• Assist the Senior Development Officer/Project Manager prepare reports for senior management, elected members on project viability, progress and final account.
• Remain informed on emerging housing development policy and practice.
• Liaising with other services and external agencies including Housing Associations and the Scottish Government on strategic and new build housing matters.
• Any other duties as deemed appropriate by the Head of Service or Manager.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Experience of new build projects from inception to completion.
• Experience of working in a social housing environment.
• Experience of risk management and risk mitigation.
• Experience of working with performance indicators and targets.
• Experience of dealing with legal issues e.g Section 75 agreements.
• Experience of procuring construction works and services.
• Good understanding of construction industry legislation and Scottish Government grant requirements.
• Strong analytical/problem solving skills.
• Strong IT and report writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels.
• Ability to prioritise own workload.
• Good negotiating and influencing skills.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Construction related qualification- project management, architecture, quantity surveying, planning or other appropriate discipline.
• Full Driving Licence.
• Membership of professional relevant body.
• Experience of dealing with legal issues e.g Section 75 agreements.
• Experience of procuring construction works and services.